AFS Intercultural Programs: High School in Switzerland
by AFS-USA
Program Overview
Switzerland is a small, polished gem of a country, with mountains, forests, lakes, and modern cities like Zurich and Geneva. While there are three common languages – German (70%), French (20%), and Italian (10%), you will probably live with a German-speaking host family. Switzerland is said to have one of the world’s best education systems, and most students go to public schools by public transpor...
Switzerland is a small, polished gem of a country, with mountains, forests, lakes, and modern cities like Zurich and Geneva. While there are three common languages – German (70%), French (20%), and Italian (10%), you will probably live with a German-speaking host family. Switzerland is said to have one of the world’s best education systems, and most students go to public schools by public transportation.
Family life is important to the Swiss and you'll spend a good amount of time with your host family, taking trips to nearby natural resorts, as well as having healthy meals together. You'll discover a love for the outdoors in Switzerland since the Swiss greatly enjoy hiking, skiing, and bicycling. No matter where you’re placed, you’ll never be more than 10 miles from one of Switzerland’s ...
Ready to dive deeper into this program?
Jump to the full breakdown of dates, costs, eligibility, and more.
Program Highlights
What's Included
Quick Details
- 7-12 Months
- 3-6 Months
- Experiential Learning
- Homestays
- Language Immersion
- Student Exchange
- American
Updated Jul 14, 2026
Program Details
Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know
Locations
- Zurich, Switzerland
Types & Subjects
- Focus Areas
- Experiential Learning
- Homestays
- Language Immersion
- Student Exchange
Available Terms / Availability
- Years Offered
- Year Round
Eligible Nationalities
- American
Education Levels & Language
- Education
- Some high school, no diploma
Accommodation Options
- Home-stays
Application Procedures
- In-Person Interview Required
- Physical Exam/Health Records
- Transcript
- Online Application
Age Requirement
14-17
Duration
- 7-12 Months
- 3-6 Months
Starts At
Program Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about AFS-USA
Rating breakdown
Top categories
Participated in this program? Share your experience now.
Review this ProgramShowing 1-2 of 2 reviews
Inquire
Inquire about this program
Have a question? Send us a message and the program team will get back to you.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to all the most common questions about AFS-USA.
Switzerland has one of the world's top education systems, and you can expect your classmates to be highly motivated and engaged students. You’ll most likely attend a baccalaureat school, an academically competitive high school that prepares students for university studies. A typical day might start around 8 am and end around 6 pm. Most schools have classes until noon on Wednesday, leaving the rest of the day free for skiing and other activities.
Recognitions & Awards
Awards and accreditations earned by this provider
Related Programs
Browse programs you might like
Have more questions?
We're here to help!
The GoAbroad team is here to support you as you choose the best program for you, and AFS-USA is also happy to answer any questions you have.
Trusted by millions of travelers worldwide since 1997